Trump Gives Iran Diplomacy More Time as Netanyahu Presses for Strikes After US Midterms

WASHINGTON, Nov 1: US President Donald Trump is favouring continued diplomatic efforts with Iran despite pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume military strikes immediately after Tuesday's US midterm elections, Axios reported Sunday.

The two leaders held a telephone conversation on Saturday to discuss the status of negotiations with Tehran and the possibility of renewed military operations against Iran, according to one Israeli and one US official familiar with the discussion.

Netanyahu reportedly urged Trump to launch fresh strikes against Iran as soon as the November 3 midterm elections conclude. Trump, however, wants to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts more time, a position that has raised concerns in Israel, Axios reported.

An Israeli source described the conversation as "tough", while the US source characterised it as "direct". The White House and the Israeli prime minister's office declined to comment.

According to Axios, Trump is pursuing parallel diplomatic and military tracks, seeking an agreement that could restart peace negotiations while maintaining preparations for a possible resumption of major military operations after the elections.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said negotiations with Iran were "going fine" and indicated that he was not "in much of a hurry" to resume military action. However, he maintained that the US still had one or two Iranian nuclear sites to deal with, specifically mentioning the suspected underground nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain.

The latest diplomatic developments follow a letter sent last week by US Vice President JD Vance to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, regarding the possibility of restarting negotiations. Rezaei confirmed receiving and studying the letter, describing Washington's changed tone as a positive sign.

Meanwhile, Qatar has intensified its mediation efforts, with Qatari representatives meeting Iranian officials on Sunday for the third consecutive day in an attempt to reach an understanding that would pave the way for the resumption of direct US-Iran negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no agreement had been reached and stressed that progress depended on Washington answering Tehran's questions. He expressed hope that the US would demonstrate sufficient willingness to pursue diplomacy rather than other options.

Araghchi also described Washington's outreach as a positive step but said there were currently no plans for meetings with US officials, indicating that consultations through mediators were continuing.

The diplomatic push comes amid continuing military threats from both sides and uncertainty over whether negotiations can prevent another round of US-Israeli military operations against Iran.

Although Trump has not announced a decision to resume strikes, his administration has kept the military option open as diplomatic efforts continue.